Cabbit originally referred to the Manx cat. The cat-rabbit myth was first documented by Joseph Train of Castle Douglas, Galloway in "An Historical and Statistical Account of the Isle of Man" (1845). Train stated that Manx cats were the product of matings between female cats and buck rabbits. The portmanteau term cabbit is used for alleged hybrids. The exact year of coinage is uncertain. It was used in 1977 to describe a specimen found in New Mexico and exhibited in Los Angeles. The myth of cat-rabbit hybrids persists to this day. Such hybrids are genetically impossible.

Cabbit is also a general term for a fictional creature, particularly in anime and Japanese video games, that takes on a small, round, cute or cuddly appearance and resembles a mammal of unspecificed species. It is derived from the words "cat" and "rabbit," a mixture used by fans to describe Ryo-Ohki in the series Tenchi Muyo (although the term is never used by the series). Most people who know the word use it to exclusively refer to that creature. This type of cabbit is generally friendly, possess intelligence, but are easily bribed with their favorite food, carrots.

Cabbits often exist to provide a humourous or lighthearted side to a serious story or setting. As fictional pets, they can have their own rules or behavior within a fictional setting, as opposed to a realistic pet with limited behavior, such as a dog. Cabbits often present themselves as having a baby or child-like mentality, requiring care by another person (see also mon). There are exceptions, where a cabbit may display more intelligence or confidence than a main character.

Typical characteristics

• feline cabbit has long hindlegs, raised rump and is preferably tailless
• feline cabbit's hopping gait is due to inherited defects
• anime cabbit has large, round eyes, small limbs and is a super deformed version of another animal (mammal, reptile, etc.)
• anime cabbit have limited knowledge of human language (a couple words only)
• anime cabbits have a strong bond with main or supporting character
• anime cabbits have innocent or mischievous behavior and functional ability
  • Mokona provides storage space in Magic Knight Rayearth
  • Ryo-Ohki in Tenchi Muyo has a spacecraft form

See also

• Manx
• moogle
• Pokémon
• rabite

Other Sources